The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-02
FLORIDA'S CAPITAL.
The Leading Topics Before the State
Legislature.

Legislature.
TALLAHASSEE, FLA, May Although
both houses of the Legislature adjourned
from Friday to Monday, Saturday was not
wholly lost, as the standing committees
were busily engaged in consideration of
bills that have been referred to them, and
several of the special committees appointed
to visit the various State institutions were
away in the performance of that duty A
very considerable amount of routine work
was completed during the week, and now
great many bills OF more or less Importance
are on second reading in each house, while
a goodly number are ready for final action
and passage. The mechanics lien bin is still
in the hands of the conference committee,
and will probably be reported in good shape
in a day or two, so this important and vexed
question Of protecting labor can be finally
settled
THE RAILROAD COMMISSION.
The railroad commission bill will be con-
sidered during the coming week, and an at
tempt will be made to amend in several par
| ticulars the bill presented by the joint COM
mittee appointed to frame the measure. 1t
is sought to increase the pay of the commits
sioners, to allow an appeal to the circuit
courts from the award of the commissioners,
and to relax the very stringent and infiexible
provisions relative to fines in case of slight
technical violations of the letter of the law
These are but reasonable requests, made by
those who desire to see foreign capital seek
ing investment in this State.
Another measure that promises to give
occasion for animated and earnest discussion
is the bill making the payment of a dollar
poll tax prerequisite to the exercise of the
voting privilege. This law has become an
absolute necessity in this State, and its adop-
ton seems assured, in spite of the tremend-
GUS opposition to it.
THE REPRESENTATION.
The question of making proper and Just
| apportionment Of representation among the
several counties of the State under the pro-
visions of the new constitution is one
attended with great difficulty and delicacy.
Much time will probably be devoted to this
task, and it will receive an unusual amount
of attention from every county in the State.
1t seems quite certain that the Office of
| State Printer will be abolished and the work
| OF the State given to the lowest bidder
under the direction and supervision of the
| Board of State Institution composed of the
| Cabinet officers of the Governor. A bill
| has passed the House with the purpose in
view of legalizing all the city and town gov
ernments in Florida, as their legality had
been doubted, and this course is pursued to
avoid possible complications in the future.
| THE SENATORIAL OUTLOOK.
The Senatorial outlook is apparently un-
changed, with the friends of the three prin-
cipal contestants confident of their success
and determined in their efforts to defeat
their opponents. 1t is to be regretted that
| this breach has been made so wide, but it
was perhaps unavoidable, and may be the
means of more perfectly uniting the Demo
Gratis of the conflicting sections of the State.
Gov. Perry has given no intimation of his
intentions in regard to the appointment of
Circuit Judges and other officials assigned
to him, and the friends of the other two
Senatorial candidates are determined to pre-
serve the deadlock until some action is taken
IN the matter by the Governor, thinking
that when he does appoint some of his sup
| pOrters will desert him because of disap-
pointment i'll the selections made and the
overlooking of local favorites, whose ap-
pOintnent are SO early sought by members
now voting for Perry.
| Many Legislators returned to-day, but it
is still doubtful whether a quorum will be
present tomorrow, unless others return to
night. The Committee of visitation to the
| Agricultural College, at Lake City, will
make a favorable report and recommend
an appropriation for the college and for
| Gainesville Seminary